Toronto Jazz Festival Update

As we look back on 25 years, we couldn’t think of a better way to bridge the past with the future then to have the undeniably talented, young phenom Nikki Yanofsky close off another edition of the Festival on Sunday, July 3 at Metro Square. The Robi Botos Trio will open.
With an eye to the future, it is the next generation of young lions and vocalists such as Yanofsky who will help keep the Festival alive for another 25 years.
purchase tickets now or call Ticketmaster at 1.855.985.5000.

Brand New Venue

We’re also pleased to announce the addition of the historic Distillery District as a new venue to the Festival. With over 25 FREE shows, the Distillery will have two stages hosting an array of local and international talent. Be sure to check out the Boiler House Patio and the stage at the foot of the Distillery District in the afternoons and early evenings as the Festival takes over!

Margaret Stowe Trio, Paul Neufeld’s Rhythm & Truth, Les Doigts de L’Homme, Mezcla and Alex Pangman Quintet are just some of the musical guests at the Distillery mainstage.

All streets point right to the stage, making it a local (and free!) showcase that is hard to miss.
For the Boiler House Patio schedule click here.
For the Distillery District mainstage click here.

Series Spotlight

The Grandmasters are here! And GRANDMASTERS they are. This summer, the GRANDMASTERS Series held at Glenn Gould Studio features four piano titans that play jazz and beyond. Whether its an African beat or lyrical touch, these four distinct solo players make up one impressive series.
Randy Weston (Sunday, June 26) – Inspired by Africa, this is the core of Weston’s music and spirituality. He has spent a lifetime traversing the continent on a continuous journey to learn about its musical traditions. Weston’s African Rhythms solo piano trace the roots of jazz back to where it all began.
Jacky Terrasson (Monday, June 27) – A gifted arranger with a complete understanding of the blues and improvisation, The New York Times calls his work, “brightly energetic, pristinely articulated pianism.”
Vijay Iyer (Tuesday, June 28) – Hailed as one of the most important pianists today, Iyer is a self taught musician who draws from a wide range of Western and non-Western traditions. With each and every recording, Iyer forges a new bold sound that consistently staggers the imagination.
Kenny Barron (Wednesday, June 29) – As a soloist, leader and one of the most dependable sidemen in all of post-bop mainstream modern jazz, Barron’s career spans over five decades and he is universally recognized as the master of performance and composition.
For tickets, call 1.855.985.5000 or click here.

The GRANDMASTERS Series is presented by media sponsors the Toronto Star and JAZZ.FM91

Head across the street to Quotes

The Festival never ceases to amaze, and continues to add venues to the ever growing list! Drum roll please… Quotes Bar & Grill is the latest addition to the Festival fold. This King West hotspot is now the place to be (besides the delicious burgers) to hear the Canadian Jazz Quartet, talented featured musicians and Gord Sheard’s Brazilian Jazz Experience.

With a packed itinerary, including late night jams with the Stacie McGregor Trio, some of the featured musicians include Harry Allen, Luanda Jones, Scott Hamilton, Guido Basso, Reg Schwager, Rand Sandke and Bill McBirnie.

Be sure to check out this latest Festival addition and experience a little jazz hotbed right across from the action at Metro Square!

Coming from near or far…

The Festival has announced exciting hotel and ticket packages that will make the 2011 season, even better (and more affordable)! A special thanks goes out to the Sheraton, Delta Chelsea and Hyatt Regency Toronto that are bringing our loyal patrons a place to rest their heads. Whether you’re coming from out of town, or are just looking for a break from your same old, tired, Toronto mattress -deals don’t get much better than this!

And that’s not all! The Movado three and five day passes are back! The Movado Three Day Pass offers a 15% discount on the purchase to three Mainstage concerts, and The Movado Five Day Pass offers a 20% discount on the purchase to five Mainstage concerts. So whether it’s Robert Cray, Los Lobos, Molly Johnson or The Roots – now’s the chance to catch them all, on a budget! To purchase tickets call Ticketmaster at 1.855.985.5000

The Promise of Music

The Promise of Music is a spectacular evening featuring jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, in concert with the Ellis Marsalis Quartet.
Join us for this rare Toronto performance along with inspiring student musical performances that are sure to dazzle you!

•The Toronto All-Star Big Band – One of the most exciting bands around.
•The Ontario Youth A Capella Chorus – 60 young men, ages 11-29 who perform traditional barbershop-style music and non-traditional modern a capella style.
•Alex Seredenko – A gifted young pianist at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto.

Leading up to the evening concert is a day-long music education symposium which promotes the positive impact that music education plays in the lives of young people.

For full details click here.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Koerner Hall, The Royal Conservatory

7:30PM – 10PM

Celebrate with us. Buy your tickets today!

Presented by the SOCAN Foundation and The Royal Conservatory

In Partnership with the Coalition for Music Education and Business for the Arts

Stay Connected with us

Ever wondered what REALLY happens at a Festival?

We already have our Artistic Director, Josh Grossman, blogging on the regular but now our interns are now getting in on the action and sharing their thoughts.

Do you want to know what it’s like setting up interviews for artists? Do you want to know how Pat Taylor, the Executive Producer, likes his coffee? Then you should follow “the interns” on their blog .